New Delhi/Ranchi (IANS): Six operatives of the banned outfit People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) have been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each by a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The verdict, delivered on Friday by the NIA Special Court, is seen as a significant setback to the group’s activities in the region, particularly its involvement in terror financing, arms procurement, and extortion networks operating in parts of central India.
The convicted individuals — Gulab Kumar Yadav, Ravi Yadav, Rakesh Kumar Paswan, Pawan Kumar Yadav, Santosh Yadav, and Suresh Yadav — were found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. The court had convicted them last week before pronouncing the sentence.
Investigations established that the six were active members of PLFI, a splinter insurgent group known for militant operations, levy collection from businesses and locals, recruitment of cadres, and facilitation of other criminal and terror-related activities.
Santosh Yadav, identified as a sub-zonal commander for Latehar and Chatra districts, played a key role in recruitment and in directing operations to sustain the outfit’s extortion and terror network. Suresh Yadav acted as an overground worker and logistics facilitator, allegedly arranging illegal arms and ammunition to support the group’s activities.
The NIA probe revealed that the accused procured weapons through PLFI supply chains and participated in violent acts aimed at instilling fear and raising funds.
The case dates back to December 2018, when Jharkhand Police, acting on specific intelligence about a PLFI meeting, launched a search operation in the Titir Mahua forest area under Balumath police station in Latehar district. Four of the accused were arrested on the spot, and security forces recovered two foreign-made rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, SIM cards, and mobile phones.
The NIA took over the investigation in June 2019 and filed a chargesheet in February 2020 against all six accused. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence outlining the organised terror, arms procurement, and extortion network allegedly run by PLFI through these operatives.
Though smaller than outfits such as the Communist Party of India (Maoist), PLFI has remained active in parts of Jharkhand, targeting civilians, contractors, and government projects for levy collection.
Authorities said the sentencing is expected to weaken the group’s operational capabilities in Latehar, Chatra, and surrounding districts, and forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Left-wing extremist networks operating in remote and forested regions.
